Four years after players from Afghanistan’s women’s national team fled their homeland during the Taliban occupation, many of their teammates are once again representing their country in a soccer tournament. Only this time, as a refugee.
This tournament is a big step in the fight for official recognition as a national team on the world stage. Collectively, they call themselves the Afghan Women’s Coalition.
“It’s really exciting to see each other, hug each other and finally share and play together,” said Italian captain Fatima Haidari. “As an athlete, you will face challenges and difficulties in your life, but you can always overcome them and never give up. Never give up.”
kick off
FIFA, soccer’s international governing body, is holding a four-team friendly tournament in Morocco that will include Chad, Libya, Tunisia, and refugee teams. The event, dubbed “FIFA Unites: Women’s Series 2025,” kicked off on Sunday.
This tournament comes after years of lobbying by players. Former sea captain and activist Khalida Popalworking with human rights organizations to facilitate the team’s return to competition.
“After all the hardships we have gone through, all the obstacles we have faced, after four years and months, the girls are finally playing soccer for Afghanistan, but without a title,” Popal said.
“I’m glad the girls are playing. Is that enough? No. But it’s a good start.”
The tournament is Originally set for DubaiChad, Libya, and the host United Arab Emirates were to be included. There were media reports that the players were unable to obtain visas in Australia, where some members of the team are settled. FIFA has not disclosed the reason.
assignment
Afghanistan women’s national team played its last official match in 2018. With the Taliban regime returning to power in 2021, all women’s sports were shut down.
But even before the team’s demise, the Afghanistan Football Federation was under investigation for misconduct involving its women’s program, including allegations of rape and physical abuse. Kelamuddin Kellam Federation Chairman, Permanently banned from FIFA.
The players fled Afghanistan fearing persecution as the Taliban occupied the country. Some have spoken out about their harrowing ordeals, burning their kit and trying to escape in a hurry to avoid detection.
“We faced challenges and hardships that I don’t want to remember. It was really bitter,” Haidari said. “It’s about leaving your homeland, your friends, your family and everyone you know. The sad thing is that there are still some girls and women who are not playing, but they want to be on the international pitch just like us. That’s why we are here now. We want to be their voice.”
future
meanwhile Many ended up in AustraliaAfghan players are scattered throughout Europe, and some are even in the United States. FIFA held sanctioned camps in Australia and England and called up 70 players before reducing the number of players for the tournament to 23, according to coach Pauline Hamill.
“We want to show what we can do in the future and show our potential, and it’s important how we move forward from this starting point,” Hamill said. “So it’s a big win for these players to get back on the pitch. They’ve been waiting a long time, and this tournament… gives us a great opportunity to play games together. And we’re really excited about the future.”
The Afghan federation is obligated to avoid discrimination under FIFA regulations, but despite not recognizing women’s teams, the International Football Federation has not suspended them.
Athletes and their advocates have been fighting for official recognition. In May, the FIFA Executive Board approved a strategy of action for women’s football in Afghanistan. However, the team I can’t represent Afghanistan yet. in Women’s World Cup Qualifier Asian Championships.
Popal said the tournament in Morocco was a first step, but the goal was to become independent from FIFA. However, she wanted to emphasize that the players are grateful to the organization for making this important move.
Popal said the players are seeking meaningful recognition as a national team and an independent national football federation that “actually governs the team so that the girls are not silenced.”
“Our players have been fighting for that right for a long time,” Popal said. “Of course, this initiative and pilot does not have governance, but we hope to have governance in the future.”
dream
Afghanistan Women’s United lost their first match against Chad 6-1 on Sunday in Casablanca, with Manosh Nouri scoring the refugee team’s only goal.
For the players, the game is not about winning or losing. They are making a statement.
“I feel safe. As a girl and a woman, I feel free to live a normal life, play and dream,” Haidari said. “In fact, that is why I carry not only my dreams, but the dreams of every girl and woman who wants to play for Afghanistan.”
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